Window construction



Dec, 19, 1950 c. R. SMITH 2,534,687

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lNVENTO R CLYDE R. film/TH ATTO R N EY Patented Dec. 19, 1950 Ui'iED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Clyde R. Smith, Akron, Ohio Application May 11, 1946, Serial No. 669,155

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a window construction, particularly of the type including a frame and a single or multiple window incorporated therein,

Heretofore, conventional window constructions have been objectionable for a number of reasons. For example, such windows have usually included vertically slidable top and bottom window sashes, adapted to be maintained in different positions in guideways by use of counterbalancing means requiring sash weights, cords and pulleys. The sash cords frequently failed and were difficult to repair or replace. Moreover the conventional top and bottom window sashes, each comprising stiles, top and bottom rails, and a pane of glass, were necessarily factory preassembled and consequently were required to be carefully trimmed to fit each particular window frame.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved window construction including closure panels which are slidable to selected positions in guide members, wherein is obviated the use of the usual objectionable sash weights, cords and pulleys.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved single or multiple window construction including closure panels slidable to various adjusted positions in guide members, the arrangement being such that the separate parts of the window may be readily, and without use of a particularly high degree of skill, installed piece-by-piece to form a complete window assembly in a window frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window construction of the character described in the two previous paragraphs, wherein the parts used for forming the window and guide means therefor in general may be supplied in by maximum light and view is obtainable through F the window.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a window construction of the character described improved means for locking the window closure panels in any position of operation thereof.

These and other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following brief description and the accompanying drawings.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of an improved window construction embodying the features of the invention, the same being viewed as from the inside of the window.

Figure 2 is a cross-section in the same scale, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figures 3, i and 5 are enlarged fragmentary cross-sections taken substantially on the lines 33, t-4, 55, respectively, in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssection, taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 1, illustrating tension or clamping means for yieldingly retaining the closure panels in the guide members thereof.

Figure '7 is a similar enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken on the line 1-7 of Figure 1, illustrating improved locking means for the window construction.

Figure 8 is a partial view similar to Figure 1, illustrating a modified form of window construction.

Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-section, partly broken away, taken substantially on the line 99 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssection taken on the line illlfi of Figure 8.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 7, the numeral it designates the usual window frame which includes jambs II and 2, a top crosspiece I3, and a bottom sill [3a. Mounted against the jambs I! and I2, between outer blind stops 25, 26, El, 28 and 29, the transversely outer and inner strips 25 and 29 of these being equivalent to half the intermediate strips 26, 2? and 28. The intermediate strips, conversely, may be composed of two strips like 25 and 29, if desired. The guide strips may be formed with oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending seat portions or recesses 3i, 3! providing spaced channels 32, 33, 34 and 35 presented laterally inwardly of the window opening, for receiving laterally opposite edge portions of panes of glass 36, 31, 38 andSEi to be slidable in spaced vertical planes, these panes generally constituting the closure panels l8, I9, and 2|, respectively. Other parts of the closure panels will be described later.

The strips to 29 are adapted to be yieldingly urged together to apply yielding clamping pressure against the opposite side faces of said edge portions of the closure panels, by means of clamping devices indicated at 4!, clearance for this purpose being provided between the adjacent faces of the strips, as indicated at 42, 42. Clamping device il may comprise a bolt 4la extending through the superposed strips from the outer side of strip 25 and into a sleeve 43 received through aligned apertures in the strips from the inner face of inner strip 29, and a compression spring M being extended between the outer end of the sleeve and a nut 45 threaded on an inner end of the bolt am. The outer end of the bolt is provided with an enlarged head 46 and the inner end of the sleeve is provided with a flange 31, between which head and flange clamping action is applied to the superposed strips by means of the spring. The nut 45 may be adjusted to apply a sufficient degree of clamping action to the strips, whereby the glass window panels 3? to 39 may be relatively freely slid vertically along their respective guide channels or retained in any given position along the same.

Mitered between the top ends of the opposite guide members it, against the cross-piece l3, of the window frame, is a top sealing or guide member it. which may include a plurality of superposed strips to 53 of cross-sections corresponding to those of the strips to 29, the same being clamped as before by means of yielding clamping devices 45, as shown in Figures 1 and 6. Two of the guide channels 55 and provided between the strips 68 and i9, and 5! and 52, respectively, are adapted yieldingly to receive laterally extending ribs and along top rails 58 and 59 secured to the upper edges of the top panes and 38.

The rails 58 and may be cut from continuous strips of extruded 1. al or other material, to extend between the opposite guide members 13, I6, and for securing the same to the pane are provided at the lower edge portions with slots 66 and E! for receiving the top edge portions of the panes. Longitudinal slits S2 and are provided at the upper ends of these slots, whereby screws 64 and 65 suitably threaded through the rails may be turned to apply clamping action between the spaced lower edge portions of the rails to secure the same to the glass panels (see Figure 3). Channehshaped sealing strips 58 are provided in slots so and ti, these strips being of rubber or like resilient material, and, if desired, the rails may be further sealed to the glass panels as by use of adhesive material. For raising and lowering the panels, the rails may be provided with longitudinal slots El formed in the extrusion process, these slots providing convenient finger gripping portions.

clamped to the bottom edges of the top panes 35 and 38, and to the top edges of the bottom panes 3? and 39, may be bottom rails 58 and 69, and top rails it and M, respectively. The rails 88 to H are adapted to be of standard cross-sections, and to be cut to desired length from continuous extrusion stock. To provide effective air seal between the bottom and top rails, in the closed position of the windows thereof shown in Figures 2 and 4, each such rail may have strips so of rubber or like sealing material retained in undercut grooves 8i extending along the rails, the sealing strips projecting outwardly of the face of each rail for yielding engagement with the cooperating face of the adjacent rail. Thus, these rails, each having single sealing strips secured therein, may be arranged as shown to provide double sealing contact between a jacent rails of each window (see Figure 4).

As best illustrated in Figure 5, bottom rails 82, 83 may be clampingly secured to the lower edge of the bottom glass panes 3'! to 39, respectively, in the same manner as the top rails 58 and 59 are secured to the top edges of glass panes 38 and 38. These bottom rails also may be of extruded material, formed with longitudinal grooves 85, 84 providing finger grips for raising and lowering the lower closure panels. Provided along the lower edge of the bottom rails may be concave grooves 85. 85 for reciprocally receiving convex, upwardly presented, portion 88 of strips 8'5, 81 secured to the sill :Sa between the laterally opposite guide members IS, IS.

As best ShOWn in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 7 means are provided at 83, 83, for providing additional clamping action between the strips 25 to 25 of guide members to, securely to lock the closure panels against sliding movement in any position thereof along their respective guide sets 32 to For this purpose, the locking means 88 is similar to the yielding clamping means 4!, except that the bolt tib, corresponding to the bolt ilo, extends inwardly beyond inner iaces of inner guide so, and a nut 45a corresponding to nut G5 has pivotally secured thereon a handle 90. The nut is received between spaced arouate cam portions Si and 92 on the handle, these cam portions being in engagement with the inner face of strip 28. In the positions of the device best shown in Figures 2, 4 and 7 the clamping portions ti and 82 of the handle 9:3 are arranged to apply direct clamping pressure to the superposed guide strips 25 to through bolt Ii lb and the nut 45a threaded thereon. When it is desired to open and close the window the handle 96 is turned to move the cam portion 93 to release such clamping pressure, in which instance the spring action between nut 35a and the sleeve l3a will have the same clamping client on the strips as previously described, particularly in connection with Figure 6.

In the use or operation of the window con struction described above, the handles 52 of locking devices 83 may normally be in released condition. In such condition the springs ilb and Ma of devices 83 and M are tensioned to apply desired clamping pressure to the superposed strips of the spaced gtide members it, such that the closure panels it to 2! may be raised or lowered to any desired combinations of positions between fully opened or fully closed positions the cot. As fully described above, the closure panels may be securely locked in any of these positions by turning the handles 96 to the positions best shown in Figures 2 and 4. This provides very effective means for either locking the closure panels tightly in closed positions, or in staggered positions (not shown) for obtaining substantially draftless ventilation.

It will be readily seen that, all of the parts of the improved window construction are general y adapted to be produced in continuous strips of extruded material, which may be supplied to workmen in relatively long lengths to be out to fit a particular window frame opening, the various parts being assembled piece-by-piece until the window, single or double, is completely assembled. The construction, however, also lends itself to supplying the strip materials in predetermined lengths to fit window frames of standard sizes. In any case the guide members are adapted also to be supplied in any desired lengths with the superposed strips thereof held together by the clamping devices All, for example. It will be seen that this type of construction greatly facilitates the problem of storage and shipping. In shipping the materials for a window installation the glass panes may be omitted, as glass is usually more conveniently available at the point of assembly.

Referring to Figures 8, 9 and of the drawings, there is illustrated a modified form of window construction utilizing some of the features previously described. For convenience a single window is shown although it will be obvious that double or multiple cons ruction may be utilized.

In the drawings, the numeral 95 designates a closure panel guide member, corresponding to the guide members It, there being one such guide member at each side of the window frame 96, the same being retained laterally in position as before by means of blind stop strips 91 and inside trim or stop strips 98. Guide member 95 comprises a plurality of strips 99 secured together in superposed relation by means of bolts I96, these strips being of generally flat, tubular shape, and formed from sheet metal or the like. The tubular strips are formed to have relatively flat sides HM and opposite edge portions of the sheets thereof are turned oppositely inwardly to provide relatively short flanges I92 and relatively long flanges I03, the strips being adapted to be secured together, as by means of the bolts I99, in series of two providing guide channels IE4 defined by oppositely spaced flanges I63. The bolts I59 extend from one side of guide member 95, through the sides IIJI and the short flanges I02 and have nuts IIlIla threaded at the opposite side of the guide member for clamping the strips thereof together. The inner edge portions l I of the strips are flat for engagement with the jambs of the frame 96, and the opposite edge portions I06 are rounded to provide requisite inherent resiliency in the relatively long flanges N33. The arrangement is such that the glass or like closure panels I9! and I08 are slidable vertically in the grooves I04 against the yielding resiliency of the spaced flanges I93, this resiliency being suflicient to retain the panels in any given position vertically along the channels I04.

Mitered between the guide members 95, at the top of the window frame, may be a top sealing member I99 formed of a plurality of strips III], similar to the strips 99, the same being bolted together as before by bolts I00. The channel III provided between the yielding flanges II2 of one pair of the strips 99 is adapted yieldingly to receive, in sealing engagement along the same, the top edge of a top rail II4 secured to the top edge of glass closure panel It, said rail extending between the laterally opposite guide members 95. The rail II4 may be formed channel-shaped from a single piece of sheet material, and one edge, inwardly of the window is angularly extended as shown to provide an elongated fiange l 55 for raising and lowering the closure panel I91.

Arranged across the bottom and top edges of the glass panels I01 and I08, respectively, may be bottom and top rails I I6 and II 1 of like crosssection. The rails H6 and II! are each formed from single pieces of sheet material to provide channel portions H8 and I I9 for receiving the edge portions of the glass panels, and the oppositely outwardly presented flanges of the channel portions are doubled back and bent oppositely inwardly and oppositely angularly of each other to provide flanges I20 and I2I adapted to interengage with each other when the window is fully closed, as shown in Figure 9, to provide an air seal between the top and bottom glass panels I91 and I08.

At the bottom edge of the panel I08 may be a channel member I22, formed in one piece from sheet material, the lower edge, however, being formed to provide a concave slot I23 for reciprocal sealing engagement with a convex rib member I24 formed from sheet metal. The rib member I24 has flanges I25 for securing the same to the window sill I26. ihe inner channel flange I27 may be extended angularly inwardly, as shown, but to provide a gripping portion I28 for raising and lowering closure panel I98.

The rails II4, IIB, Ill and I22 are secured to the edges of the glass panels as by means of suitable adhesive material.

As previously described in connection with Figures 1 to 7, the parts of the window construction described in connection with Figures 8 to 10 are adapted to be formed of continuous strips which are cut to desired length and assembled piece-by-piece to build a complete window. Although a single window is shown a double or multiple window may be similarly assembled by utilizing additional strips 99 and H0 in the members 95 and I99.

Modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A guide member for a closure panel as for a window opening, comprising superposed elongated strips, longitudinally spaced securing means yieldingly expansibly securing said strips together as a self-contained unit apart from its use on a window, said strips having spaced longitudinal portions providing a panel-receiving channel, each said securing means comprising a cup-shaped receptacle having an aperture in the closed end thereof, said receptacle slidably extendin through said superposed strips from one side of the guide member and having a portion in stop engagement with said side, an elongated element extending into said receptacle through said aperture in the closed end thereof and having a head in stop engagement with the opposite side of the guide member, an adjusting member adjustably mounted on the opposite end of said element accessible at said first-named side of the guide member, and a compression spring between said adjusting member and the closed inner end of said receptacle applying yielding clamping action to said superposed strips.

2. A window construction, comprising spaced parallel guide members adapted to be at opposite sides of a window opening, top and bottom closure panels, said guide members each including superposed elongated strips having pairs of oppositely disposed seats providing guide channels, longitudinally spaced securing means on each said guide member clamping said strips thereof together as a self-contained unit slid" ably engaging said oppositely disposed seats of the strips with the corresponding side edge portions of the closure panels received in said chanmember, an

nels,.top and bottom rails secured to the top and bottom edges of each of said closure panels between said guide members, top and bottom cross members extending between said guide members to be at the top and bottom of the window frame opening, yieldingly releasable interengaging portions on said top cross member and. said top rail of the top closure panel, releasably interengagling portions being provided on said bottom cross member and said bottom rail of'said' bottom closure panel, said spaced clamping means each including a cup-shaped receptacle having an aperture in the closed end thereof, said receptacle slidably extending through said superposed strips from one side of the guide member and being anchored to the same at said one side of the guide member, an elongated element extended into said receptacle through said aperture in the closed end thereof and having a head in stop engagement with the opposite side of theguide member, an adjusting member adjustably mounted on the opposite end of said element accessible at said first-named side of the guide member, and a compression spring extending betweenv said adjusting member and the closed inner end of said receptacle applying yielding clamping action to said superposed strips, said adjusting member being adjustable relative to said element for varying the tension of said spring.

3. A window construction comprising spaced parallel guide members adapted to be at opposite sides of a window opening, a closure panel, said guide members each including elongated superposed strips having elongated portions providing guide channels, longitudinally spaced clamping means on said members clamping said superposed strips together whereby the guide; members are self-contained units slidably engaging said elongated portions of the strips with corresponding side edge portions of said closure panel received in said channels, saidspaced clamping means each. including a cup-shaped receptacle having an aperture in the closed end thereof, said receptacle slidably extending through said supzrposed strips from one side of the guide member and being anchored to the same at said one side of the-guide-member, an elongated element extended intosaid receptacle through said aperture in the closedv end thereof and. having ah ad in stop engagement with the opposite side or the guide adjusting member adjustably mounted on the. opposite end of saideie ent accessible at said first-named side of the guide member, and a compression spring extending between said adjusting. member and the closed inner end of said receptacle applying yielding clamping action to said superposed strips, said adjusting member being adjustable relative to said element for varying the tension of said spring.

4. A window construction, comprising spaced parallel guide members adaptedto be-at opposite sides of a window opening, a closure panel, said guide members each including elongated superposed strips having elongatedportions providing guide channels, longitudinally spaced clamping means on said members clampin said superposed strips together whereby the guide members are self-contained units slidably engaging said. elongated portions of the strips with corresponding side edge portions of said closure panel received in said channels, eachsaid securing, means com.- prising a cup-shaped receptacle having an aperture in the closed end thereof, said receptacle slidably. extending through said superposed strips from one side of the guide member and having a portion in stop engagement with said side, a bolt extended into said receptacle through said aperture in the closed end thereof and having a head in stop engagement with the opposite side of the guide member, a nut threaded on said bolt from said first-named side of'the guide member, and a compression spring between said nut and the closed inner end of said receptacle applying yielding clamping action to said superposed strips.

5. A window construction comprising spaced parallel guide members adapted to be at opposite sides of a window opening, a closure panel, said guide members each including elongated superposed strips having elongated portions providing guide channels, longitudinally spaced clamping means on' said members clamping said superposed: strips together whareby' the guide members are self-contained units slidably engaging said elongated portions of the strips with corresponding side edge portions of said closure panel received in said channels, said spaced clamping means each including a cup-shaped receptacle having an aperture in the closed end thereof, said receptacle: slidably extending through saidsuperposed strips from one side of the guide member and being anchored to the same at said one side of the guide member, an elongated element extended into said receptacle through said aperture in the closed end thereof and having a head in stop engagement with the opposite side the guide member, an adjusting member adjust-ably mounted on the opposite end of said element accessible at said first-named side of the guide member, and a compression spring extending between said adjusting member and the closed inner end of saidreceptacle applying yielding clamping action to said superposed strips; said adjusting member being adjustable relative to said element for varying the tension of said spring, and releasable locking means on at least one of said guide members including adjustably interengaging parts relatively slidably extending through the guide member strips, said locking means being operable at will to apply increased clamping pressure tosaid superposed strips thereof to lock the closure panels against sliding movement along theguide members.

6. A window construction, comprising spaced parallel guide members adapted to be at opposite sides of a window opening, top and bottom closure panel's, said guide members each including superposed elongated strips having pairs of oppositely disposed seats providing guide channels, longitudinally spaced clamping means on each side' guide member clamping said strips thereof together as a self-contained unit frictiona'lly engaging. said oppositely disposed seats of the strips with the correspondingside edge portions of' the closure panels received in the channels, top and bottom rails secured to the topandbottom edges of each of said closure panels between said guide members, top and bottom cross' members extending between said guide members to be at the top and bottom of the window frame opening, releasable interengaging portions on said bottom cross member and said bottom rail of said bottom closure panel, saidtop cross member comprising a plurality of superposed strips; having oppositely disposed seat portions providing guideways for receiving cooperating: edge portions. of said top rail of the top-panel; longitudinally spaced clamping means being provided onsaid cross member for clamping said superposed strips thereof together to apply sliding grip to said seat portions against opposite side faces of said cooperating edge portions of the top rail of the top closure panel, said spaced clamping means on the guide members and top cross member each including a cupshaped receptacle having an aperture in'the closed end thereof, said receptacle slidably extending through said superposed strips from one side of the guide member and being anchored to the same at said one side of the guide member, an elongated element extended into said receptacle through said aperture in the closed end thereof and having a head in stop engagement with the opposite side of the guide member, an adjusting member adjustably mounted on the opposite end of said element accessible at said first-named side of the guide member, and a compression spring extending between saidjadjusting member and the closed inner end of said receptacle applying yielding clamping action to said superposed strips, said adjusting member being adjustable relative to said element for varying the tension of said spring.

CLYDE R. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

